In partnership with the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program Office, the CAE Candidates National Center (CCNC) helps regionally accredited U.S. colleges and universities prepare high-quality applications for designation as National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs) in Cybersecurity.

The CAE Candidates Program relies on a national network of mentors and pre-submission reviewers who guide and support institutions as they work toward meeting CAE designation standards. To qualify, individuals must have made a significant contribution to a CAE application that successfully resulted in their institution earning a CAE designation.

These roles require a strong understanding of both the Program of Study (PoS) validation process and the CAE application requirements. Additional qualifications, responsibilities, and expectations are outlined on the Mentor and Reviewer Application webpage.

• Application to Become a Mentor or Reviewer

CAE-CD Mentor Workshop Video

A video of the May 2021 CAE-CD Mentor Workshop is available for approved CAE-CD mentors upon request. Please email ccnc@whatcom.edu.

Contract for Service Invoice Instructions

These instructions are specific to mentors with a Contract for Service Agreement. Mentors can access the agreement in the CCNC tool in the invoice section for the institutions they have been assigned to mentor. Mentors with a Full Contract do not use this process.

Email ccnc@whatcom.edu if you have questions regarding this process.

Invoice Instructions

When you are ready to invoice for the milestones, you will complete the Contract for Services Agreement, which includes the mentor milestone invoice. You can access the Agreement in the CCNC tool in the invoice section for the institutions you have been assigned to mentor.

1. Don’t use the Mentor Invoice_2025.xlsx form.

2. Scroll past the Invoice Template Download section to the Contract for Service Document section. You’ll see a file starting with your last name.

3. Download the file to view and record the milestones you completed.

4. Upload the completed file on or before the application final due date, which will be three months after the assignment start date.

3. Click the Mark Section Complete button and you will  be automatically directed to a new page.

6. Click the Submit Milestones & Invoice button. Completing this step starts the payment process.